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Sony’s Playstation 3, Microsoft’s Xbox 360, and the Nintendo Wii can be thought of as forming a continuum that ranges from very game-centric on Nintendo’s end to being a wider entertainment center on Sony’s end. All three would love to be the focus of home entertainment, but Sony arguably does a little more in that regard right now than either of its competitors, though the Wii is in some respects another category of console, whereas the PS3 and Xbox 360 are aimed at a more specific demographic – namely, the so-called hard-core action-gaming crowd typically comprised of teens and tweens.

Just as the first consideration for most people is the hardware, so it is often forgotten that software makes the difference. But numbers go with bragging rights in this market dominated by young males, and it must be admitted that hardware capabilities determines software capabilities. In this respect, many gamers find the Xbox 360 and the PS3 to be similarly capable, with the Xbox 360 having a slight advantage where graphics are concerned, no matter Sony’s much-vaunted “emotion engine” that was supposed to have made for more realistic facial gestures and thus a more engrossing gaming experience. Of course, each platform has its fans who swear that the differences are as dramatic as night and day.

Thus, to borrow an old line, “it’s the software, stupid,” and titles exclusive to each machine is where most of their marketing battles are fought. But even here the PS3 ties, arguably, with the Xbox 360, as both offer similar numbers of exclusive titles, not to mention the same range of action gameplay in general. And despite the sometimes-rabid following each platform has garnered, it’s almost certain that very few would turn away a rival console were it received as a gift, for example.

The real difference, actually, is two-fold: special features and online experiences. Microsoft provides a richer experience online than does Sony, whose online service isn’t bad at all. But a more extensive experience is available with the Xbox 360, though the PS3 can boast of non-gaming entertainment features like its built-in Blu-ray DVD player, WiFi internet surfing, and support for Bluetooth wireless devices. On the other hand, the Xbox 360 does offer NetFlix on-demand, which could render the PS3′s Blu-ray DVD player a moot point. On still the other hand, Sony allows modding while the Xbox 360 almost seems to discourage it, even.